NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/01 Critical threshold for widespread avalanches was not reached but the recent slab has had additional growth in the past 24 hours. Slab avalanche debris was noted at 1000 m on a NW aspect. The slab now shears easily on transition from hard to soft layers up to 50 cm down from surface. The slab and cornice development is most widely distributed above 850m on N aspects. The mid- pack temperatures are still cold and little change has taken place in the pockets of facet instability that still exist. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/01 Heavy snow will fall with moderate S to SE winds. Poorly bonded slab, new soft cornice and the persistent although isolated deep weakness will provide challenging route finding and stability evaluation decisions. Avalanches will occur mainly on NW to NE aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some N aspect slopes of the plateau have reasonable snow cover. ICING: Many N aspect sites usually with climbing ice are snow covered. COMMENT: Deep weaknesses still a concern. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/01 At thaw overnight has been followed by cooler conditions today. Above 1050 metres, a crust has formed on the snow surface which has helped stabilise the snowpack in this region. Below 1050 metres, large areas of wet snow are present. On steep slope inclinations, this wet snow shows poor stability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/01 Fresh snow above 800 metres and strong SE winds are expected over the next 24 hours. The existing snowpack will become generally stable, but fresh windslab development will take place above 900 metres. Greatest accumulations will be on W, NW and N facing slopes and gullies, where avalanches are likely. Sheltered locations on other aspects will also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornices will also form above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh sow expected down to 800m on Saturday. ICING: Freezing level remaining about 800m. COMMENT: Unstable snow forming through out Saturday. Careful route choice essential. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/01 Thaw conditions with rain below 600 metres and wet snow above have reduced and moistened the snowpack. Instabilities within the snowpack are now confined to the steepest slopes and sheltered gullies. The general snow cover is soft moist and stable with a widespread soft rain crust above 800 metres. Deposits of new wet snow are well bonded and generally shallow. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/01 Colder conditions will start to re-freeze the surface of the existing snowpack above 800 metres. New snow overnight becoming heavy during Saturday with strong Southerly winds will rapidly form areas of unstable windslab on West to North-East facing slopes and in sheltered gullies of many aspects. Bonding to the underlying surface crust will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4 ) and avalanches will occur. Wind blown slopes will become icy CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow cover above 500m. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 700m. COMMENT: Blizzards and drifting likely above 800m SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/01 The freezing level only just reached 900 metres leaving the top few centimetres of the snowpack moist with deeper snow colder and drier. Recently buried surface hoar continues to provide clean shears at around 40 centimetres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices remain suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/01 With the arrival of heavy snowfall during the day new accumulations will develop mainly on W through to NE aspects from 700 metres. Loading of the current snowpack, most of which on W to E aspects has older buried surface hoar, will provide a potential trigger for avalanches. The avalanche hazard will become High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Cornices will remain suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet and spring like up to 920 metres. ICING: Poor visibility, but not likely to have significantly improved. COMMENT: Likely to be a poor day with the arrival of blizzards. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/01 The snowpack has become wet in the mild conditions, and although very light snow is falling above 900 metres, it has made little difference. Soft, wet slab exists in deeper deposits on North-West through North-East to South-East aspects. A sub surface layer has become saturated and a relatively easy shear can be obtained. On steep slopes above 900 metres on the above mentioned aspects the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/01 The freezing level will drop through the night, helping to bond the underlying snowpack. However conditions will deteriorate, with heavy snow above 500 metres on a strong South-East wind. Blizzard conditions and drifting will occur causing fresh windslab to form on lee slopes of a North-West through North- East to East aspect above 800 metres. Windslab will bond with underlying snow at first, but as deposits deepen, they will become very unstable and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Horrible soft, wet snow above 700 metres. ICING: Melting up to about 1000 metres. Little difference made by the thaw to the bigger and higher areas. COMMENT: Poor mountain conditions expected, but after falling in the burn today can it be any worse? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------